Title: "Trump’s Executive Order Threatens NIL Prospects for College Athletes Emulating Dunne, Sanders"

Trump Considers NIL Overhaul After Meeting with Nick Saban
(Images: Trump and Saban meeting; Livvy Dunne and Shedeur Sanders; Trump addressing Alabama graduates)

Former President Donald Trump is exploring an executive order to reform college sports’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies following a private meeting with retired Alabama football coach Nick Saban. The discussion occurred during Trump’s visit to the University of Alabama, where he delivered a commencement speech Thursday.

Saban, a seven-time national champion coach, reportedly expressed concerns that NIL—introduced in 2021 to let athletes profit from endorsements—has “damaged” college sports by creating an uneven playing field. He argued that wealthy programs now use NIL deals to outbid rivals for top talent, skewing competitiveness. While Saban supports reforming NIL rather than abolishing it, Trump has directed aides to draft potential policy changes, per the Wall Street Journal.

NIL’s Impact: Wealth, Chaos, and the Transfer Portal
The NIL era has turned stars like gymnast Livvy Dunne (Louisiana State) and quarterback Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) into millionaires through brand partnerships. However, the system has also led to rampant use of the transfer portal, allowing athletes to switch schools freely for better deals. Schools receive no compensation when players depart, undermining roster stability.

Additionally, NIL earnings sometimes eclipse professional salaries. Basketball phenom Caitlin Clark, for instance, earned millions in college via deals with Gatorade and State Farm but will make just $76,000 as a WNBA rookie.

Trump’s Broader Sports Agenda
Trump’s interest in college sports isn’t new—he’s attended high-profile games, including the 2018 College Football Playoff. His latest push aligns with a broader conservative agenda. During his Alabama speech, he reiterated his stance against transgender athletes in women’s sports, vowing to “always protect women’s sports” to loud applause.

In February, Trump signed an order banning transgender women from female competitions, calling it a “97-3 issue” in favor of exclusion. His administration recently withheld $175 million from the University of Pennsylvania for allowing trans swimmer Lia Thomas to compete and set records on the women’s team, alleging Title IX violations.

What’s Next?
While Trump’s NIL plans remain vague, the move signals potential federal intervention in a system currently governed by state laws and NCAA guidelines. With the 2024 election looming, the issue could galvanize both sports conservatives and critics of athlete compensation. For now, the debate over fairness in college athletics—whether about NIL profits or gender divisions—shows no signs of slowing.

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